Pointillism

Pointillism is a process greatly inspired by Eugène Chevreul's research into the perception of color.

It consists in painting onto a canvas a multitude of tiny dots or small spots by using solely pure colors. Thus, when he observed the work at a certain distance, the eye would perceive secondary tones, thanks to an optical illusion produced by the juxtaposition of the colored dots.

Pointillism appeared in France around the end of the 19th century, with the works of Georges Seurat then Paul Signac. The technique equally marked the birth of Neo-Impressionism, an artistic movement notably interested in the theory of color.